You need to hire a virtual assistant for your business. What qualities should you look for?

When hiring a virtual assistant for your business, there are several qualities to look for. Firstly, they should be honest, reliable, and have attention to detail. They should also be resourceful, able to multitask, and have good communication skills. Additionally, they should have computer skills and be able to bring new ideas to the table. Trustworthiness, good time management, and problem-solving skills are also important qualities to consider. Finally, a virtual assistant should be kind and prioritize people, as they may be the first point of contact for clients and represent your brand.

I built a successful 7-figure virtual business way before the pandemic. The core people are still working there. How? I asked one critical question of all hires and ignored any talk of qualifications. That works in corporate when you have big budgets and many candidates. "What do you want." They won't tell you the truth so ask it until you know the full story. When you get that story, design the job with them and ensure you and the person get what they want.

When hiring a VA for your business, relevant skills and work experience aside, it's important as well to appreciate the additional value, which their life experience, personal interest, and complementary qualities bring. To top it off, if the VA is passionate as well about your vision and mission, you'll be hiring not only a helper, but also a supporter who'll dedicate above and beyond getting the basics of a job done. It's game changing when you view your VA as an extension of yourself, but with different strengths, rather than an assistant to outsource the tasks you don't want to be handling. Make it a priority to listen to their feedback regularly as they get an intimate insight into what needs to be improved about each task/ project.

When hiring a virtual assistant for your business, look for qualities that ensure efficiency and reliability. Key traits include strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to facilitate clear and prompt interactions. Organizational abilities are crucial for managing schedules and tasks effectively. A proactive mindset, with the ability to anticipate needs and act independently, is invaluable. Technical proficiency with necessary software and tools is a must. Additionally, a virtual assistant should have good problem-solving skills and a high level of trustworthiness to handle sensitive information. A strong work ethic and adaptability to different tasks and situations will ensure they contribute positively to your business.

Effective communication is crucial for a virtual assistant who may be working remotely. Look for someone with strong written and verbal communication skills to ensure clarity in instructions and updates. A virtual assistant needs to manage their time effectively to handle multiple tasks and deadlines. Look for someone with strong time management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks. The ability to organize digital files, documents, and information is essential for efficiency in a virtual environment.

This is very simple; -industry knowledge -fluent in english, both written and verbal -passion for what they do I want someone who can prove to me that this opportunity is not just another contract, it's something they want to excel in and make a difference in the company. It doesn't matter what position within the company this is for, it holds true for anyone I think about bring onboard. If our ideals to not match up, it won't work out. IMHO

When hiring, availability is important especially for part time or remote roles. Availability is beyond being physically present. Today's jobs are often more knowledge-intensive than labour-intensive and so is the Virtual Assistant role. So a person who is absentminded will produce lackluster results and this could damage your venture if not handled properly.

It is essential to communicate well. The assistant should be fluent in the language used in business operations, able to comprehend and effectively communicate information, and have strong communication skills in both written and spoken forms. Assistance must be accessible during the necessary hours and, if relevant, within the specified time zone. They must also be skilled at effectively managing their time so they can accomplish several activities at once and fulfill deadlines.

Effective communication and availability are the lifelines of a successful virtual assistant partnership. Seek VAs who not only possess strong communication skills but also adapt to your preferred communication tools and timeframes seamlessly. Prioritize clarity and responsiveness in their interactions, ensuring that deadlines are met and expectations are exceeded.

2 ways to filter people in and out quickly: 1) Ask them to record a quick Loom video talking about themselves and why they think they're a fit for this position - a lot won't do this step and for the ones who do you can see a lot about their character 2) Set a task with specific instructions and a specific deadline (ideally quite short notice) - if they can't follow the step-step instructions or try to do it their own way/or don't meet the deadline - this will show you what they'd be like if you hired them. Hope that helps!

Look for a virtual assistant who can think critically and solve problems independently. This is especially important when facing unexpected challenges.

Personality is the foundation of all other skills when it comes to finding your VA - experience can sound good on paper, but it's the ability to learn quickly and adapt that makes a concrete difference. Working with personality tests helps a lot - I recommend the Enneagram and DISC among others. There's no right and wrong. For some positions you might need creativity, for others consistency, and before you start the selection process it's good to get clear on what you're looking for.

If I recall correctly, someone told me that one of the top reasons people get fired is because of their (incompatible) personality. I think there is a ring of truth to that. Although, in a well structured corporation it is difficult to let go of an employee based on their personality alone, it is not impossible. So assuming this anecdote is true, it makes sense to test for personality compatibility before hiring a staff. This is especially true for remote roles. For consistent productivity, you need someone who is reliable at every end of your remote work system. Hiring a reliable person who is self-motivated saves you the extra expense of investing in high-end deterents to ensure the job gets done as at when due.

Your VA needs to be an extension of you. With distance being between you, your ability to communicate, read one another, write similarly and the similar attitudes are necessities.

The VA space can feel like a race to the bottom price-wise, so one thing I always talk with my clients about is making sure they're setting up equitable and sustainable arrangements with their VAs. The hourly rate is part of that, of course, but here are two other levers you can pull to make an arrangement more valuable: - Flexibility/turnaround time: if you want same-day turnarounds, be ready to pay for that availability. Providing more flexibility in turnaround time can help make an arrangement more sustainable - Pay consistency: if you're paying your VA way less in August and December (or whenever you're out of the office the most), that may be difficult for them. Creating consistency is valuable. Be the kind of boss you wish you had!

Although privacy and confidentiality terms exist in contracts that are often used for hiring, it is important to hire people who are so wired not to contravene those provisions, not because they are afraid of breaching the contract, but because they are decent people who ordinarily wouldn't do that kind of thing. So generally, the more conscientious a person is, the more likely the person will make a great hire especially if he is adept at the job for which he is being hired.

You should make the list of the things you want your VA to do so according to that you should so that these are the needs and then look for the price point they offer for their service and don't forget the best one , the good one comes at a good price , you can't underpay them..

Be crystal clear with your expectations and know what the terms are going to be from their end as well as yours. What's negotiable? As additional needs pop up during the contract, is there an opportunity for that to get added on? If so, what will THAT rate structure look like. The more you can determine up front the easier the working relationship will be as issues or additional work needs arise.

Rates and terms for employing a virtual assistant (VA) for your company can differ significantly based on the VA's area of specialty, experience level, and the particular activities you need assistance with. VA fees typically range from $10 to $50 per hour. If you require continuous help, some may provide packages or solutions for a monthly retention. Before getting started, it's critical to have a thorough discussion and agreement on the work's parameters, confidentiality agreements, and payment plans. Recall that you often get what you pay for, so assess the costs in relation to the required level of quality and experience.

Reviews and ratings serve as valuable indicators of a virtual assistant's reliability and expertise. Prioritize VAs with positive feedback and high ratings, as they demonstrate a track record of delivering exceptional service. Take the time to read through reviews and testimonials to gain insights into their strengths, areas of expertise, and client satisfaction levels.

One thing I have found helpful when hiring is to find out what other people think about the candidate. The goal here is not really consensus-led decision making but it is to get a feel of what exists out there about the candidate. In some cases, the reviews and ratings may be misleading. In other cases, candidates without any reviews or ratings might be super talented but opportunity-deficient. So the onus is on you to check out a candidate's reputation, weigh it against your needs and the candidate's other features like skills, experience etcetera, ask your team to weigh-in on the subject then, listen to your instinct before you make the hiring decision.

Do your homework. Cheap isn't always good. You need to make sure you can prove their previous work. Google them - look at their social media. Determine if that's the type of person you want in your organization.

While reviewing ratings on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr may be useful, they can be quite misleading. You might find unfair reviews from incompatible clients these freelancers have previously had that is usually not a good indication of who they are. If the freelancer's experience matches what you're looking for and you find one bad review out of many or only a few, consider giving them a shot. Speak with them first.

A virtual assistant should be comfortable using various online tools and platforms. This may include project management tools, communication apps, and other software relevant to your business. Consider whether the virtual assistant aligns with your company's values and work culture. A good cultural fit contributes to a positive working relationship.

Finding the right virtual assistant (VA) is like discovering a hidden gem – someone who complements your skills as a founder. Cultural and value alignment are very important. Highly important for you to consider aspects like work ethic, professionalism, religious belief and commitment to quality. I will also add that, it is pertinent to look for someone who can adjust to different situations and tasks with ease.

It's critical to select a virtual assistant for your company that not only fits your needs and working style, but also is skilled in her field. An assistant who can effectively communicate, comprehend your requirements, and fit in with your work culture is essential. It's similar to choosing a trustworthy partner who shares your values and can assist with efficiently carrying the weight. It all comes down to that easy rapport and compatibility that makes collaboration not only fruitful but also a lot of fun!

- make sure they align with the way I work - make sure they're able to handle it all for me even without my presence - make sure they're working it out the best way possible

Building the rapport is crucial, especially given they aren't in an office with you. Ask questions outside of their work performance to get a taste of their soft skills. It will help you determine how they might handle situations, how they handle conflict and identify opportunities to address on the front end of the expectations in those situations.

When hiring a virtual assistant, prioritize strong communication skills, organizational prowess, tech proficiency, and adaptability. Look for candidates with a proactive mindset, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently. A reliable virtual assistant can streamline tasks, enhance productivity, and contribute positively to your business.

When hiring a virtual assistant, prioritize strong communication for clarity in tasks, and organizational skills for managing deadlines efficiently. Seek tech-savviness for ease with digital tools, and proactive problem-solving for independence. Value attention to detail for task accuracy, and reliability for handling sensitive info. Adaptability is key in a dynamic entrepreneurial environment. Experience in relevant tasks enhances efficiency, while a cultural fit ensures seamless integration into your team. A positive attitude fosters a productive working relationship. These qualities ensure your virtual assistant becomes a pivotal asset to your business growth.

One thing to remember before you hire a VA is SOPs (standard operating procedures) that way your VA knows exactly how to get that task done from the jump, plus they can then refine ways of working and keep updating those SOPs to improve efficiency overtime. Otherwise you'll waste hours for both yourself and the VA trying to figure out what even needs to be done to start, or worse you micromanaging them which is an awful way to work and defeats the purpose of hiring them in the first place.

Hiring a virtual assistant (VA)? Aim for a mix of tech-savvy, reliability, and communication skills. Your VA should be comfy with the digital tools and platforms your company uses. Look for someone organized and self-motivated—they've gotta manage tasks without someone looking over their shoulder. Top-notch communication is key, too; they should get your messages across clearly and understand your needs. And don't forget, a good VA vibes with your business culture, making teamwork smooth. Find someone with these qualities, and you’ve hit the jackpot for your business support!